and then there is Insulin!

[Mal]

Hi Friends,

Sorry I have not been around for a prolonged period but I have been feeling totally wasted and spending more time sleeping than I am awake!
I was diagnosed with Type 2 about 6 years ago. Learning that I am Diabetic has answered many questions about the problems I was experiencing prior to that diagnosis! Having taken Metformin in varying amounts up to the maximum of 3g daily and more recently taking Glucophage 2g Daily and Gliclazide 80mg Two tablets AM and two PM plus Sitagliptin. Despite this regime my BG has remained around the mid to high teens consistently for months. Happily the consultant I am now seeing has discovered that no matter how many tablets they put me on they will not improve my Glucose levels because my pancreas is simply not producing Insulin in any significant quantity.
I collected my prescription today from the chemist for NovoMix 30 in 5 Flex Pens, to take 12 Units before Breakfast and another 12 Before Dinner (evening meal).
Who knows? I might even be able to stay awake for more than a couple of hours now!

Has anybody got any advice for somebody who is embarking on an Insulin regime, Please??

Thanks Fellow Diabetics
Best Wishes
Mal

 

[yingal26]

Not that I am a particularly "good" diabetic lol but from my point of view when starting on insulin take it seriously from the get go and you should be fine. I ***** about with mine when I first became a type 1 and it went to ****! (excuse the language lol). Good luck with the insulin!

Yingal26

 

[acron^]

I'm also on Novomix 30 and my advices is this: don't be afraid to alter your dosage as long as suits your levels.

 

[lilibet]

Hi

Just make sure that you learn about the profile of novomix and what it means for you ie the points in the day when you have to eat to potentially avoid hypos.

With pre set doses of pre mixed insulin you will have to eat roughly the same amount of carbs at each meal, and eat regularly at around the same times so if you go out, you will need to have snacks at hand for mid morning etc. You might not, but its common on premixed to have to snack - so be mindful of this, and also for weight gain reasons. Not sure if T2 different but given your pancreas making no insulin then I see no reason why same rules dont apply in respect of the use of Novomix as it would for T1

Given you have had such a rotten time of it im sure you will begin to feel much better on insulin as your bg comes down. Premixed has it's good points for sure, but lots of issues too for some people (lack of flexibility, spikes in bg , cant correct high bg etc) but if you just get used to taking insulin and find that you would like to change to another regime (ie basal bolus) then dont feel you cant!


Good luck

 

[hanadr]

Good Luck!

 

[Mal]

Many thanks folks for your replies, I really appreciate you taking the time and trouble to respond.
I was given the option of injecting twice daily or of going for the Basal Bolus and injecting prior to each meal so I would not have to stick too closely to the time regime for eating/injecting. I opted for the 2 jabs daily because being a newbie I wasn't certain of the injection process and any accompanying discomfort. Having discovered that I don't actually feel the injection I will see how this regimen works and then if necessary change over.

Thank heavens for this forum where we can exchange news, views and experiences.

Mal

 

[Sid Bonkers]

Hi Mal, my diabetes was brought on by long term steroid use for a respiratory problem and I was put straight on insulin, I use Humulin I at bedtime to stop my BG levels rising through the night and Humulin S before meals, I was terrified of needles before my diagnosis, now it doesn't bother me at all. I get the occasional bruise on my abdomen but there is no real discomfort.

I find the multi injection regime pretty easy to live with, the one drawback as far as I am concerned is the Humulin S needs to be taken 30 to 45 minutes before eating which can be an inconvenience at times. But thats a small price to pay for being fit and healthy

 

[jan123]

Hi Friends,

Sorry I have not been around for a prolonged period but I have been feeling totally wasted and spending more time sleeping than I am awake!
I was diagnosed with Type 2 about 6 years ago. Learning that I am Diabetic has answered many questions about the problems I was experiencing prior to that diagnosis! Having taken Metformin in varying amounts up to the maximum of 3g daily and more recently taking Glucophage 2g Daily and Gliclazide 80mg Two tablets AM and two PM plus Sitagliptin. Despite this regime my BG has remained around the mid to high teens consistently for months. Happily the consultant I am now seeing has discovered that no matter how many tablets they put me on they will not improve my Glucose levels because my pancreas is simply not producing Insulin in any significant quantity.
I collected my prescription today from the chemist for NovoMix 30 in 5 Flex Pens, to take 12 Units before Breakfast and another 12 Before Dinner (evening meal).
Who knows? I might even be able to stay awake for more than a couple of hours now!

Has anybody got any advice for somebody who is embarking on an Insulin regime, Please??

Thanks Fellow Diabetics
Best Wishes
Mal

I've just started on the same regime and have to say so far so good! I certainly feel much better than I have done in a long time!

 

[Mal]

Hello again folks,

Well here I am almost 3 weeks after starting injecting insulin. The Unit quantity has been increased regularly by the diabetic team at the hospital, who I can't fault for their frequent monitoring telephone calls, and I am now at 28 Units daily before breakfast and 26 Units each evening before dinner.
Today was the first day at this level of insulin yet my BG before lunch was a worrying 22.9?
My BG for today was: Fasting - 9.0 Pre-Lunch - 22.9 Pre-Dinner - 10.8 2minutes ago 15.8
Yesterday there was a similar hiccup before lunch with a BG of 19.3, Pre-Dinner - 14.2, Pre_Bedtime - 15.3 (the fasting reading was 10.8). This was with my insulin at 24 Units AM and 22 Units PM.

Having discussed this with a diabetic nurse specialist at the hospital today she asked a number of questions but we were unable to identify any reason for the large change. She suggests I see what readings I get tomorrow and then speak to her again on Friday.

Anybody have any words of wisdom??

Thanks for reading,

Best regards

Mal